Manipulating Fuel Pump Helps Save Gas in Chevrolet Cruze

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DETROIT--May 18, 2011: With gasoline topping $4 a gallon, there are many ways to conserve fuel and save money. The Chevrolet Cruze relies on microprocessors in the brain of the compact car's fuel system to help.

The Electronic Returnless Fuel System on the Cruze increases fuel economy by 2 percent compared to vehicles with a standard fuel system, said Terry Wilton, General Motors' senior manager for fuel system components.

The Cruze Eco model with a manual transmission offers an estimated 42 miles per gallon on the highway, best among all compacts.

"We've combined a lot of technologies on the Cruze to offer customers hybrid-like fuel economy without the cost of the hybrid system," Wilton said.

The microprocessor behind the Electronic Returnless Fuel System electronically manages the delivery of fuel from the fuel tank to the engine. It is controlled by the brain of the Cruze's fuel system -- the fuel system/chassis control module.  The control module can raise or lower the pressure in the fuel line by speeding up or slowing down the fuel pump.  This allows the system to make more efficient decisions on the amount of fuel provided to the engine compared to vehicles with a standard fuel system whose fuel pump runs at full speed all the time.

The system reduces voltage to a point where the pump doesn't deliver excess fuel.  The lower fuel pump speed results in less power consumption, which reduces the electrical load on the alternator. That reduces the strain on the engine, resulting in increased fuel economy.

"To a customer, the Electronic Returnless Fuel System technology is seamless," said Wilton.  "The driver does not notice the changes to fuel pump speed because engine fueling requirements vary during different vehicle driving conditions."